Never before have fuel costs been this high. And forget comments from analysts intended to soothe like “if you adjust for inflation” or “using percentage of income” figures, “this period” or “that period” has had higher fuel costs. The only “fact” worth citing is that today we’re paying sky-high fuel costs, and it hurts everyone. In fact, later this summer fuel costs are predicted to reach $5 a gallon for regular unleaded. So far the predictions have largely been accurate

So to save fuel costs, your first thought may be: “I have to dump my thirsty SUV/pickup.” You’re not alone in this thinking. I see a lot of big shiny SUVs and pickups with “for sale” signs on them in driveways, front yards and in the paper. Selling your thirsty SUV/pickup/car is certainly an option if you can get anyone to buy them. However, get ready for a shock as midsize SUVs are trading at around $2,500 below the value guide’s prices, and full-size SUVs and pickups are at $3,500 below and dropping more every day.

Even those numbers don’t reflect real-world situations as some dealers will not take a full-size SUV or pickup on trade. For the dealers that will take your SUV off your hands (mostly newer models), they too will offer next to nothing for them with the reason given that the SUV or pickup will just tie up dealer cash, collect dust and occupy space that could be used to park something that will sell. So, selling your SUV or pickup is a losing proposition.

Unfortunately I can’t recommend any “miracle” fuel additives, special air flow filters or electronic chip replacements. However, I can make suggestions on how to drive your current vehicle to its full fuel potential.

Plan ahead: First let’s start with the easy/common sense stuff. Look at the trips you do regularly (outside of work) and combine/condense them into fewer but longer (time) trips. Remember: It’s easier and more fuel efficient to go a few miles out of your way to reach another destination than it is to do multiple single-destination trips. If possible run a few errands on your way home from the office. In other words, don’t just “run out” to get something – do some trip planning.

Drive less: Keep a record of the miles you travel each week and then try to cut that number by a percentage or specific number of miles. If possible, try to go one or two days a week without moving the car.

Share the ride: Is car pooling an option? You may treasure that alone time in the morning, but if you can cut your commuting fuel costs in half or more through sharing the ride that translates into some meaningful savings. Also, if you have flex hours, use them to commute at non-peak traffic times to avoid spending time and fuel creeping along in traffic.

Stay smooth: Getting a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds in motion is the single largest use of fuel. Once you’re up to speed, your vehicle requires less fuel to maintain a steady speed. This is the basis for the cylinder deactivation systems on some V-8 and V-6 powered vehicles. The longer you can keep your vehicle moving without stopping, the less fuel will be required to get the vehicle mass in motion verses the amount of fuel required from a standing stop. Practice accelerating gradually and smoothly away from traffic lights. Conversely, as you come to a stop sign or traffic light, let off the gas to coast to a stop or to catch lights just after they change. These practices will also extend the life of your brakes and tires. However, it is important to note that saving fuel is not an excuse to illegally run red lights or stop signs.

Maintain your ride: Make sure your vehicle is operating at peak performance and keep up on maintenance. I’m not suggesting unneeded service or more frequent maintenance intervals. Remember there is a big difference between maintenance and repairs. Putting off maintenance to save a few bucks now could cost you hundreds or thousands in repairs later. Delaying maintenance can affect fuel costs.

Get tired: One simple and overlooked maintenance function you can perform yourself involves your tires. Riding around on under inflated tires can take between and 5 to 10 percent right off the top of your fuel economy. Make sure your tires are inflated to the maximum tire pressure recommended by the manufacturer. You will find this information on the inside of the driver’s side door. This number may vary from the one stamped on the tire. Always go by the manufacturer recommended pounds-per-square-inch number to achieve maximum fuel economy. This number was selected by the manufacturer after extensive testing to achieve the optimum ride, handling and fuel economy numbers.

Go cruising: When possible use your cruise control more frequently to maintain a steady speed. Vehicles are generally the most fuel efficient at around a steady state of 50 mph.

Shut it down: Train yourself to shut down. If you have to wait for a long freight train and are stuck in line shut your vehicle off. You’re not going anywhere for a few minutes and when you’re not moving you’re getting zero miles per gallon. The same holds true when waiting to pick up a child at school or your spouse at the store.

Lighten the load: If you’re carrying around unneeded objects or cargo remove it to reduce weight.

Reduce drag: Make sure you seal the deal by reducing drag. The smoother the exterior surface of your vehicle the easier it will slip through the air and once again will require less fuel to get up to and maintain speed. Pickup truck owners have known this for years and hit the highway with their tailgates down, a cargo net in place of the tailgate or a tonneau cover over the bed. With the tailgate down or the cover on it prevents the tailgate from acting as an air brake when the air rushes up against it causing drag and thus requiring more fuel to overcome it.

Use the air: While running the air conditioning does put a load on your engine it is more efficient than “450” air conditioning (four windows down at 50 mph) as the open windows create drag just like the pickup’s tailgate does. If your vehicle has a roof rack or bike rack, that is used infrequently, remove it to keep the roof of your vehicle smooth and air flow uninterrupted.

Use the Web: If you’re not already doing so use the Web to seek out the best gas prices in our area. Web sites like www.GasPrices.com can save you time and money by indicating the lowest prices near your home or office.

While these tips will shave your fuel costs over time, there is only so much you can do. Driving a big, heavy, block-shaped vehicle or large car with a powerful V-8 or V-6 presents a challenge. The key to success is to practice these suggestions consistently over a long period; if you do you will save money.